[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12284-12285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6191]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Current Population Survey--Basic Demographic Items

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Gregory Weyland, Census Bureau, FOB 3, Room 3340, 
Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 457-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request clearance from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of basic demographic 
information on the Current Population Survey (CPS) beginning in October 
1999. The current clearance expires September 30, 1999.
    The CPS has been the source of official government statistics on 
employment and unemployment for over 50 years. The Bureau of Labor 
Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic 
monthly survey. The Census Bureau also prepares and conducts all the 
field work. At the OMB's request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide 
the clearance request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and 
funding of the CPS program. The justification that follows is in 
support of the demographic data.
    The demographic information collected in the CPS provides a unique 
set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian 
noninstitutional population. Some of the demographic information we 
collect are age, marital status, gender, Armed Forces status, 
education, race, origin, and family income. We use these data in 
conjunction with other data, particularly the monthly labor force data, 
as well as periodic supplement data. We use these data also 
independently for internal analytic research and for evaluation of 
other surveys. In addition, we use these data as a control to produce 
accurate estimates of other personal characteristics.

II. Method of Collection

    The CPS basic demographic information is collected from individual 
households by both personal visit and telephone interviews each month. 
All interviews are conducted using computer-assisted interviewing.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0049.
    Form Number: There are no forms. We conduct all interviewing on 
computers.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000 per month.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1.58 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,168.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents other 
than their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182; and 
Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

[[Page 12285]]

    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for the OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 8, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-6191 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 a.m.]
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